London’s story stretches from Roman Londinium to a buzzing 21st-century capital, where centuries-old landmarks share streets with inventive food markets and playground-filled parks. For families, it’s a dream: free world-class museums, easy public transport, and attractions that make history feel hands-on.

Over seven days, you’ll check off the big hitters—Westminster, the London Eye, the Tower—and still have time to live like a local in leafy neighborhoods, picnic along the Thames, and browse weekend markets. With a mid-range budget, we’ll lean on free museums and parks, mixing in select paid experiences your crew will remember for years.

Practical notes: Tap a contactless card/phone on the Tube and buses for daily fare caps; kids under 11 travel free with a fare-paying adult on most TfL services. Pack layers; weather changes quickly. Book popular attractions (Eye, Harry Potter) in advance, and build in “play time” at parks and kid-friendly cafés to keep jet lag and little legs happy.

London

London is a city of neighborhoods. One moment you’re beneath the clockface of Big Ben; the next, you’re sampling fresh-baked doughnuts at Borough Market or chasing squirrels through St. James’s Park. The Tube and frequent buses make getting around straightforward—even with strollers.

Top family highlights: the spectacle of Changing of the Guard, hands-on fun at the Science Museum, skyline views from the London Eye, time-travel at the Tower of London, and boat rides along the Thames.

Local flavor: graze on street food at Greenwich or Spitalfields markets, grab a salt-beef bagel on Brick Lane, sip a flat white at a specialty café, and sit down for a classic Sunday roast at a neighborhood pub.

• Getting here & around: For flights and train options to London, compare routes and prices on Omio (flights in/out of Europe) and Omio (trains in Europe). Eurostar runs Paris–London in about 2h 20m and Brussels–London in ~2h; advance deals often range €60–€140. From Heathrow, the Elizabeth line to central London takes ~30 minutes (good value); Gatwick to Victoria is ~30–35 minutes by express, or cheaper Thameslink to Blackfriars/St Pancras.
• Where to stay (family-friendly picks):
  • Search everything: VRBO London apartments | Hotels.com London
  • Best-value locations for families: South Bank/Waterloo (walk to Eye, river), Bloomsbury (museums, trains), Tower Bridge (history + riverside paths).
  • Specific options: South Bank convenience at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London (pool, family rooms); great price-location combo at Premier Inn London County Hall; budget central at Point A Hotel London Kings Cross – St Pancras; family quadruples at Novotel London Tower Bridge; sociable (private rooms available) at YHA London Central or YHA London St Pancras; classic splurge at The Savoy.

Day 1: South Bank Welcome + London Eye

Afternoon: Arrive and drop bags. Stretch your legs with a gentle South Bank walk from Waterloo to Tower Bridge if energy allows. Street performers, book stalls under Waterloo Bridge, and playgrounds make it easy-going for kids. Coffee and a snack at South Bank’s Gail’s (pastries, kid-friendly seating) or ice cream from a riverside kiosk.

Evening: Cap your first night with panoramic views on the London Eye (30 minutes, capsules are enclosed and stroller-friendly). Book here: The London Eye Entry Ticket.

Dinner: Walk to Wahaca South Bank (tacos, kids’ menu, lively color-pop interiors) or Pizza Pilgrims Waterloo (Neapolitan pies; dough for the kids to play with). Night stroll past Big Ben and the illuminated Houses of Parliament before turning in.

Day 2: Royal London, Westminster & Hop-On Hop-Off

Morning: Fuel up at the art-deco Regency Café (famous English breakfast; brisk service, great value). Join a family-friendly guided walk that threads together the royal icons and stories: Walking Tour of London Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham (options include Abbey entry; guides keep kids engaged with monarch tales).

Afternoon: See more without tiring little legs on a hop-on hop-off loop: Big Bus London Hop-On Hop-Off Tour (flexible routes; optional Thames cruise on select tickets; from ~£38 adult). Ride across Westminster Bridge, alight at St James’s Park for ducks and swans, then continue to Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square.

Evening: Dinner around Covent Garden: Dishoom (Irani café classics; kids love the cheese naan), or Hawksmoor Seven Dials (excellent British steaks; kids’ menu, crayons). Grab gelato at Venchi on Long Acre.

Day 3: Tower of London, Borough Market & Tate Modern

Morning: Coffee at WatchHouse Tower Bridge, then arrive early at the Tower of London to see the Crown Jewels with lighter crowds. Kids love meeting the Yeoman Warders and spotting raven guardians. Cross the iconic bascules of Tower Bridge and peek into the Engine Rooms if curious about Victorian machinery.

Afternoon: Graze at Borough Market: try molten cheese toasties at Kappacasein, doughnuts at Bread Ahead, and oysters at Richard Haward’s. Walk the riverside to Tate Modern (free; turbine hall installations are child-mesmerizing) and cross the Millennium Bridge toward St. Paul’s for photos.

Evening: Dinner near London Bridge: budget-friendly steak at Flat Iron (no-frills, great value) or pasta made to order at Padella (queue moves fast; cacio e pepe is a hit). If energy remains, a twilight stroll along the Shakespeare’s Globe and Bankside is atmospheric.

Day 4: Harry Potter Studio Tour + Camden & Regent’s Canal

Morning–Afternoon: Step behind the scenes of wizarding London on the Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour with Transport from London (round-trip coach included; from ~£109 adult). Walk the Great Hall, sip butterbeer, and see Hogwarts sets and creatures up close—pure magic for kids and nostalgic parents.

Late Afternoon: Return to London and head to Camden Market for an easy, budget-friendly wander. Boardwalk snacks like Oli Baba’s halloumi fries and Chin Chin nitro ice cream keep spirits high. Stroll the Regent’s Canal toward Primrose Hill for a skyline sunset.

Evening: Pizza night at Franco Manca (sourdough pies, kids’ portions) or classic fish and chips at Poppies in Camden. If it’s drizzly, duck into the Camden Stables covered arches for browsing.

Day 5: Museum Day in South Kensington + Notting Hill

Morning: Start at the Natural History Museum (free; dinosaurs, blue whale) and rotate to the Science Museum (interactive galleries, Wonderlab is superb if you opt for paid entry). Quick breakfast or mid-morning break at Gail’s South Kensington or the museum cafés (high chairs available).

Afternoon: Tube to Notting Hill. Browse pastel streets, then wander Portobello Road (antiques most lively Fri–Sat; produce and food traders other days). Snack ideas: Farm Girl for pancakes and smoothies; fresh churros from street stalls when running.

Evening: Pub dinner with a twist at The Churchill Arms (bloom-covered pub serving Thai classics; ask for a booth), or Mediterranean plates at CERU in South Ken (zesty dips and grills; very kid-friendly). Early night or an easy West End show if your kids can sit through—The Lion King and Matilda are perennial favorites.

Day 6: Greenwich by River + Royal Parks

Morning: Ride a Thames boat east (public river bus from Westminster or London Bridge is fun and affordable with contactless). In Greenwich, grab breakfast baps at Heap’s Sausages then roam Greenwich Park (deer enclosure, great playground). The National Maritime Museum is free and hands-on; the Royal Observatory (paid) lets you straddle the Prime Meridian.

Afternoon: Lunch at Greenwich Market—mix-and-match stalls from Venezuelan arepas to Japanese gyoza, and the famous Scotchtails scotch eggs. Optional visit aboard the Cutty Sark (tea clipper; engaging for kids). Cruise or DLR back, and decompress in St. James’s Park or Regent’s Park (rose garden, boat lake).

Evening: Dinner on the river at Trafalgar Tavern in Greenwich (whitebait, kids’ menu, river views) or back in town at Honest Burgers (gluten-free buns, rosemary chips that are borderline legendary).

Day 7: East End Markets, Street Art & Farewell

Morning: Head to Shoreditch. Coffee at Ozone Coffee Roasters, then a family-friendly street art wander around Brick Lane and Chance Street (bright murals; fun photo ops). Pick up warm salt-beef bagels at Beigel Bake—open early, cash/card accepted.

Afternoon: Browse Old Spitalfields Market (covered; designers, crafts) and snack your way through: Bleecker for smashed burgers, Humble Crumble for customizable crumble cups, and fresh pasta at La Nonna stall on select days. If it’s Sunday, detour to Columbia Road Flower Market (go early) for peak local vibes.

Evening: Celebrate your week with a twilight river walk or, if you’d like one last highlight, do a gentle spin past lit-up landmarks on the bus or circle back to your favorite neighborhood. Final dinner at Dishoom Shoreditch (family sharing feast) or classic British at St. John Bread and Wine if your crew is adventurous (nose-to-tail small plates).

Optional Add-On (swap into any day): Full Westminster Focus

If you want more depth on the big icons and to save time in queues, consider this guide-led combo that covers the heavy hitters efficiently: Walking Tour of London Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham (choose the option with Abbey entry). It’s a great way to anchor the week’s history for kids and adults alike.

Budget & Timing Tips

• Budget (50/100): Mix one paid highlight every day or two (Eye, Harry Potter, Tower) with free museums and parks. Markets and chains like Franco Manca, Honest Burgers, and Pizza Pilgrims keep meals affordable.
• Transport: Family daily cap makes multiple rides cost-effective; most central journeys are 10–20 minutes by Tube. Walkable clusters: Westminster/St James’s, Tower/London Bridge/Borough, South Kensington museums, Shoreditch/Spitalfields.
• Queues: Book timed tickets where possible; arrive at opening for the Tower and popular markets.

Extra Family-Friendly Experiences (optional swaps)

• Thames evening cruise dinner: A relaxed way to see Westminster and St. Paul’s glow at night: London Dinner Cruise on the Thames River (live music; dress smart-casual).

Note: If you prefer a different overview format, the hop-on hop-off ticket is already included on Day 2. You can also build in nap breaks at your hotel—staying near the South Bank or a major park makes resets easy.

Summary: In one week, you’ll trace London’s royal pageantry, unravel stories at the Tower, glide over the Thames, and snack through its beloved markets—at a pace built for families. This itinerary balances must-see landmarks with neighborhood moments so everyone, from tiny travelers to history buffs, gets their London fix and leaves planning a return.